on the basis of evidence, even though he understands neither its meaning nor its import, and then to say, “You are qualified to exercise independent legal reasoning, so say whatever you wish”—this will lead to the corruption of the Sharia and the corruption of people and society. In this regard, people fall into three categories:

1—A scholar whom Allah has endowed with knowledge and understanding.

2—A student of knowledge who possesses some knowledge but has not attained the level of that deeply learned scholar.

3—A layman who knows nothing.

As for the first, he has the right to exercise independent legal reasoning and state his conclusion. Indeed, he must state whatever he believes the evidence requires, regardless of who among the people disagrees with him, for he has been commanded to do so. Allah Most High says, “Those among them who can draw sound conclusions from it would have known it.” 1 Such a person is among those qualified to derive rulings, who understand what the words of Allah signify